H ANDLOADER .38. Heckler & Koch. Super. Ammunition Reloading Journal NEW SERIES EXCLUSIVE LOADS: .300 HAM R and the 6.5 SAUM. Tested: P2000 V3 9mm

Transcription

1 EXCLUSIVE LOADS: H ANDLOADER Ammunition Reloading Journal RIFLE S Heckler & Koch Tested: P2000 V3 9mm.300 HAM R and the 6.5 SAUM.38 Super Automatic +P NEW SERIES LEARN TO RELOAD: Necessary Tools February 2019 No. 318 Display until 03/18/19 Printed in USA

2 COLUMNS EXCLUSIVE LOADS:.300 HAM R and the 6.5 SAUM H ANDLOADER ANDLOADER Heckler & Koch Tested: P2000 V3 9mm.38 Super Automatic +P 8x57mm Wehrmacht s Cartridge RIFLE S Ammunition Reloading Journal FEATURES Page Page Revisiting Bullet Performance Reloader s Press Dave Scovill 10 Sierra GameChanger TGK Practical Handloading Rick Jamison Nosler Velocities Bullets & Brass Brian Pearce Page NEW SERIES LEARN TO RELOAD: Necessary Tools February 2019 No. 318 Printed in USA On the cover... A Heckler & Koch P2000 Variant 3 9mm with components used for testing. Photo by Chris Downs Cast Bullet Flexibility Mike s Shootin Shack Mike Venturino 6.5 Short Action Ultra Mag Wildcat Cartridges Layne Simpson x57mm Mauser Handloading for the Wehrmacht s Cartridge Mike Venturino.38 Super Automatic +P Top-Notch Handloads for an Accurate Cartridge Brian Pearce Learn to Reload A Look at Necessary Tools John Haviland Page handloading Basics Savage Cartridge Board Gil Sengel 22 Vectan Tubal 3000 Propellant Profiles R.H. VanDenburg, Jr. 24 Heckler & Koch P2000 Variant 3 9mm From the Hip Brian Pearce 66 Williamson Derringer In Range Terry Wieland Page Shooting the.300 HAM R Handloads for a Feral Hog Zapper John Barsness Single Shot An old star can still sparkle. Terry Wieland 4 Handloader 318

3 FROM THE HIP by Brian Pearce After Heckler & Koch s (HK) unusually good success with the compact USP autoloading pistol, engineers set out to make improvements and create new models that would become known as the P2000 and P2000SK. These versions (9mm,.357 SIG and.40 S&W) were subjected to extensive durability tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which ultimately lead to their beating out five highly respected competitors and earning a superior technical rating. On August 20, 2004, HK was awarded the largest pistol contract in U.S. law enforcement history with the P2000 and P2000SK.40 S&W pistols. The P2000 Variant 3 (V3) was introduced for consumers and German police who wanted a more precise trigger pull in a double- and single-action trigger arrangement with additional features. This pistol cannot be retrofitted with the Law Enforcement Modification (LEM) trigger system found on previous models, which provides a constant level of trigger pull from the first to the last round. The double-action pull of the test pistol used here was around 9.5 pounds while the single-action pull broke cleanly at a respectable 4.5 pounds. The P2000 V3 features an exposed hammer with a small decocking push button located to the left of the hammer. This unusual arrangement results in a snag-free slide that is easy to operate with either hand. The hammer spur is easily reached and manipulated with either thumb as needed. Heckler & Koch P2000 Variant 3 9mm Note the beveling on the front of the slide that results in less snagging, or commonly referred to as melt down. The HK P2000 Variant 3 is a doubleand single-action design. After the first round is fired, all subsequent shots are fired in single-action mode Matthew West photo The test pistol came in 9mm with two 13-round steel magazines pistols chambered in.40 S&W and.357 SIG have a 12-round magazine. The ambidextrous magazine release is unusual, as it is located on the lower rearmost part of the trigger guard. In this location it is snag free. It was operated easily using only my right thumb without repositioning my hand. However, in observing several shooters operating it, some found it easier to pull the magazine release downward using the thumb and forefinger. Either way it works well and with minor practice can be operated quickly. The frame is constructed of fiberglass-reinforced polymer and 24 Handloader 318

4 has texturing on the front, back and sides of the grip. Included are four interchangeable backstraps that are pinned in place, including small, medium, large and extra-large versions, allowing the shooter to choose the most comfortable size. The grip is long enough to allow shooters, even those with large hands, to easily obtain a firm grip with all fingers. The frame s under lug located just forward of the trigger guard (some shooters call this a dust cover) features a Picatinny rail grooved to accept lasers, lights, etc. The front of the trigger guard is squared and grooved. The pistol s overall length is 7 inches long and just over 5 inches tall while the slide measures inches at its widest point, resulting in a comparatively compact package. And at 23 ounces, it is lightweight and can serve handily for concealed carry, but its size makes it easy to shoot well. The slide, barrel and other components are constructed of high tensile steel and are coated with a matte-black, nitro-carburized finish (HK refers to it as A polymer recoil bushing serves to reduce felt recoil. The P2000 V3 features quick and easy takedown. February-March

5 HK P2000 Variant 3 9mm Luger Handloads overall 5-shot loaded 25-yard bullet powder charge length velocity group (grains) (grains) (inches) (fps) (inches) 115 Hornady XTP AutoComp , Speer Gold Dot HP True Blue , Factory loads 124 Black Hills JHP +P 1, Hornady XTP 1, Hornady American Gunner XTP +P 1, Speer Gold Dot HP 1, Winchester FMJ 1, Notes: A Heckler & Koch P2000 Variant 3 9mm with a 3.5-inch barrel was used to test all loads. Starline cases and CCI 500 small pistol primers were used throughout. Maximum case length:.754 inch; trim-to length:.749 inch. For more data on this cartridge please visit LoadData.com. Be Alert Publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors in published load data. Listed loads are only valid in the test firearms used. Reduce initial powder charge by 10 percent and work up while watching for pressure signs. Magazine capacity is 13 rounds plus one in the chamber. Robust sights are dovetailed into the slide and provide a three-dot system. The decocking button is located to the left of the hammer. Its location also serves to make the sides of the pistol snag free. Hostile Environment ) that has proven to be rust resistant, tough and durable. The left and right slide releases assist with complete ambidextrous operation and are only slightly wider than the slide, Brian was pleased with the overall accuracy of the 9mm test pistol, with most 25-yard groups hovering between 2 to 2.5 inches. further resulting in in a snag-free slide profile. The chrome-moly steel barrel is inches long (actual measured length that does not include the barrel hood) and features sixsided polygonal rifling with a 1:16 twist. The action is based on the Browning linkless recoil-operated design but features a polymer recoil bushing that operates in conjunction with the steel guide rod and is said to reduce felt recoil. Notable safety features include a firing pin block, disconnector, hammer intercept notch, drop safety and lock-out device. There is an optional magazine disconnect that I personally would never select. The sights are true combat style, with both being installed via a dovetail and are only drift adjustable. The front features a white dot while the rear comes standard with two white dots. Night sights are optional. After running a few full magazines through the P2000 V3, my initial impressions were very positive. Felt recoil was low, trigger pull was acceptable, sights were of proper specification for quick and easy alignment, the grip was comfortable and accuracy was well above average for this type of pistol. When firing the first round in double-action mode, the pistol did not need to be repositioned in the hand to fire subsequent shots in single-action mode, which is an important feature for any double/ single-action pistol. One item that took a little conscious effort to get used to was the trigger reset. The travel is a bit more than I would prefer but is not really excessive. However, I would like to see the reset click more pronounced, which would help most shooters instantly begin the trigger pull for the next shot, rather than allowing the trigger to travel fully forward, which can slow down the time between repeat shots. Using premium factory loads, including Hornady 124-grain JHP/ XTP (standard pressure), Hornady American Gunner 124-grain XTP +P, Speer 124-grain Gold Dot HP and Black Hills 124-grain JHP +P, five-shot groups consistently hovered between 1.70 and 2.5 inches 26 Handloader 318

6 Heckler & Koch P2000 Variant 3 Specifications Caliber: 9mm Luger (tested),.357 SIG and.40 S&W Action: Semiautomatic, recoil operated Construction: Fiberglass-reinforced polymer frame, steel slide and related parts Barrel: Chrome-moly steel, 6 lands/grooves polygonal rifling Barrel Length: inches Capacity: 13 rounds + 1 Sights: Notched rear, post front with 3 white dots, drift adjustable. Optional night sights. Trigger: Double and single action Trigger Pull: 9.5 and 4.5 lbs Hammer: External with serrations Grip: Four interchangeable backstraps Weight: 23 ounces Street Pricing: $650 to $ CALIBER RIFLES CZ 527 Accessories Bullets: 22, 19, 20 cal Varminting Articles! PH: (406) PURE LEAD With 1% Tin, 40 lbs., $68.00 Delivered Linotype, Pure Lead, WW alloy, Lyman #2, Tin 16/1-20/1-30/1, other alloys available. Cowboy Action Shooting bullets. ACTION Bullets & Alloy, Inc P.O. Box Quinter, KS Tel: bullets@ruraltel.net at 25 yards. Clearly, the HK offers plenty of accuracy for any practical self- or home-defense application, but it is also good enough to roll tin cans or pot small game. Two handloads were also tried. The first included a Speer 124-grain Gold Dot HP bullet loaded in Starline brass with a CCI 500 primer and 6.5 grains of Ramshot True Blue powder for 1,181 fps. This load functioned flawlessly and produced notably high velocities while staying within industry pressure guidelines. Switching to the Hornady 115-grain XTP bullet loaded with 5.5 grains of Winchester Auto- Comp powder, velocity averaged just over 1,200 fps. Both loads grouped similarly to the above factory loads, with typical groups measuring 2 to 2.5 inches. While the HK P2000 V3 test pistol was fired enough times to determine its accuracy and reliability with several loads, it was neither torture tested, nor was it fired extensively enough to determine its longevity. However, it is noteworthy that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security subjected P2000 pistols to a series of severe punishment tests that included firing 3 million rounds. In spite of stiff competition it earned top marks, and it has a proven record that few pistols can match. February-March 2019 OEHLER 35P The gold standard of comparison is still here! Call or go online for more information. Phone: oehler-research.com P.O. Box 9135 Austin, TX ReseaRch, Inc. 27

7 Learn To Reload A Look at Necessary Tools John Haviland My father bought a rifle cartridge reloading kit out of economic necessity when my four brothers and I were boys. With all of us target practicing and hunting, we shot a lot of and.250 Savage cartridges. Seeing his monthly ammunition bill significantly decline at the local sporting goods store, my dad then bought a shotshell reloading press. He always believed in learning by doing, so he gave us no more guidance than Read the instructions, and be careful. The rifle reloading tools were basic, but good enough to start reloading. They included an RCBS Jr. single-stage press, a balance beam scale, case lube and pad, a powder funnel and full-length sizing and seating dies for 06 and.250 cases. A single shellholder fit both cartridges. Speer s Manual for Reloading Ammunition Number 8 was an essential part of the equipment because it provided guidance. Approach what you are about to do, not with apprehension, but with respect and a measure of caution and you will never go wrong, the manual stated. The chapter titled Handloading Step by Step covered the process of preparing our fired cases to finally seating bullets. The press was mounted on one end of a work bench in the basement. The other tools and powder were stored in one drawer and primers in another. As teenagers, we stumbled a few times when reloading, mostly with measurements, but nothing serious. As we gathered experience, we added additional tools. After all these years, handloading has remained a great pastime, made shooting 46 and hunting more enjoyable and saved me untold dollars. Well, maybe I never saved any money compared to if I had remained an occasional shooter. Robin Sharpless, vice president at Redding Reloading Equipment, said the demographic of people starting to reload has changed in recent years. Used to be, people took up reloading to save money, he said, and they were satisfied if their reloads were accurate enough for casual shooting at the local gravel pit. Redding s surveys now show people interested in reloading are in their 40s and 50s and want to buy quality tools that will last a life- The tools required to begin loading take up little space. Handloader 318

8 time. I call them handloaders because they also want to save money and at the same time make better ammunition than factory-produced ammunition, he said. These handloaders start with basic tools and later add specialty tools that refine their handloads and save time at the loading bench. Lyman, Lee Precision, Hornady, RCBS and Redding sell reloading kits with almost all the equipment required to reload. They range in price from $200 for the Lee Breach Lock Challenger Kit to over $800 for the Redding Versa Pak Pro reloading kit. Presses Lyman s Tom Griffin and Sharpless both recommend a single-stage press that can be used to load one cartridge at a time for new handloaders. Progressive presses that perform most, or all, loading steps with one pull of the press handle require exact attention to each station s setup and constant monitoring of the reloading process. Do you want to make one mistake at a time, or six or eight? Sharpless asked. Most single-stage presses are classified by their frame shape. C-frame presses, like the Lyman Brass-Smith Ideal Press, have an open front for an unobstructed view and hand access for inserting and removing cases from the shellholder that sits atop the ram, and placing bullets in a case mouth and guiding them into the die as the ram raises them into the seating die. O presses with a rectangular-shaped frame, like the Hornady Lock-N- Load Classic, are constructed with a front pillar Rifle cases usually require trimming after sizing. This Forester manual trimmer trims cases to an exact length. that connects the base and top of the press, making the press rigid to withstand the force required to size rifle cases while keeping the shellholder and reloading dies aligned. The front column on most of these presses is offset to the right to provide a February-March 2019

9 handloading Basics Learn To Reload An inexpensive lube pad is used for rolling an even amount of lube on cases before sizing. Hornady s Lock-N-Load Classic single-stage press handles all reloading steps from sizing cases to seating bullets. larger opening for the insertion and removal of cases. Positioning the front of the shellholder to the left, so cases can be inserted and removed from the side, provides even more finger room. The handle on the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme press (and some others) mounts on the left or right for ambidextrous use. The RCBS Summit singlestage press operates in the reverse of a regular press. A die threads into a base that rides up and down on a 2-inch diameter ram. Pulling downward on the press handle lowers the die onto a case. The whole idea of a die locked into a thick base on a central column is to ensure everything is in alignment. With no frame support brace required, the front of the press is completely open. The Summit press does not contain a primer seating tool. Most single-stage presses, though, incorporate a primer arm. Placing a primer in the arm s cup and pushing the arm into a slot in the ram aligns the primer with the case s primer pocket and seats the primer on the down stroke of the press. Optional primer feeders like the Lyman Auto-Primer Feed include a frame that attaches to a press to hold tubes that dispense large or small primers one at a time. Though Redding does not make a hand tool for seating primers, Sharpless said he much prefers using a hand tool to a press-mounted priming arm. I like the feel a hand tool gives to let you know primers are seating to just the right depth, he said. Most shotshell presses look like a progressive press for centerfire cartridge with dies at different stations to complete each step of the reloading process. Some are progressive, and each pull of the handle rotates cases to the next station and performs a reloading step. Others are single-stage presses that require Among other tools, a dial caliper helps determine exact case length. It is one of the most important tools a handloader can have. manually moving a shotshell case from one station to the next. Shari LeGate, a member of the U.S. National Team in skeet for 12 years, is a long-time shotshell reloader and a spokeswoman for Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (MEC). I recommend a single-stage press, like the MEC Sizemaster, when you re starting out reloading, she said. The Sizemaster s Power Ring collet sizes the metal base of shotshell cases so they readily fit in a chamber. You should start by reading a reloading manual or watching MEC s videos (mec shootingsports.com) on how to operate your press, she said. From there you can pick out a load and buy the exact wads and powder bushing to match the powder weight listed. As you re 48 Handloader 318

10 starting out, it s best to completely load one shell at a time. That teaches you what happens at each step of the process, she said. Dies Sharpless and Griffin suggest buying a two-die set that includes a seating die and full-length sizing die to reload bottleneck rifle cartridges. A full-length sizing die is versatile. For full-length sizing cases, the die is threaded into the press until the die touches the shellholder raised to the top of the press stroke. The shellholder is then lowered and the die is turned down another quarter-turn and the die s lock ring is then tightened. As the press ram s mechanical linkage cams over, it removes any space between the die and the shellholder. The setting completely sizes the case neck to hold a bullet tightly, and it also sizes the case body so it fits in any appropriate chamber. A full-length die can also be set a partial-turn away from contacting the shellholder to set case headspace to match a specific chamber. Another slight upward turn of the die sizes part of the neck without setting the shoulder back. A cartridge loaded with such a case provides a close fit in the chamber it was originally fired in. Cases must be lightly lubricated before sizing. Griffin suggests using specific case lubricants that are applied to a lube pad on which cases are rolled. A regular seating die aligns a case and bullet with the die s bullet-seating stem to seat bullets straight within the case. The die can be positioned to only seat the bullet, or it can be threaded inward a slight amount to also crimp the case mouth to the bullet s cannelure. For five times the cost of a regular two-die set, specialty seating dies can be bought, like the RCBS Gold Medal Match or Redding Competition dies. Hornady and other manufacturers make these as well. These seating dies completely support and align a case and bullet in a sleeve before Gas Checked & Plain Base Match Grade Cast Bullets Everything from 7mm to.500 S&W, BHN Real Keith Bullets -.357,.41,.44 & , 465 & 500 Gr. in.500 S&W,.460 S&W Gr. 349 NW 100 St. St. John, KS Tel: Website: We supply all of CorBon s cast bullets! NewfouNdlaNd, CaNada Moose, Woodland Caribou & Black Bear Hunts Book now for 2019 & 2020 Tel/Fax: (877) dean.wheeler@nf.sympatico.ca P.O. Box 159, York Harbour, NL, Canada A0L 1L0 February-March

11 handloading Basics Learn To Reload Bottleneck rifle cases require a sizing die and seating die. A three-die set is required for reloading handgun cases. This Redding set includes a carbide sizing die. seating begins. A micrometer seating stem is calibrated in.001-inch increments for precise seating depths. The Gold Medal has a cutout in the side of the die to drop a bullet on top of the sleeve. Reloading manuals list the overall cartridge length of specific bullets seated in different cartridges. When I first started handloading, I seated bullets in cases so cartridge length was the same as a factory cartridge. The first cartridges I loaded with roundnose bullets fit in my rifle s magazine with room to spare, and cartridges chambered freely. But when I opened the bolt to remove a loaded round, the bolt handle required extra pull. All that came out was the case, and powder spewed all over. The bullet remained stuck in the rifling because the bullet had not been seated deeply enough. A dial caliper solved that problem. The caliper precisely provided an exact cartridge length in.001- inch increments. Eventually I used the caliper for measuring all cartridge dimensions like case lengths and bullet diameters. Electronic calipers with a digital display are especially easy to read until the batteries die. A three-die set is required for straight-wall cases like the An expander die is a necessary third die, and its expander ball widens the inside of the case to the proper diameter to accept the bullet, and it slightly flares the case mouth to prevent shaving off jacket material or crumpling the case when seating a bullet. Handloading straight-wall handgun cartridges also requires three dies. A steel sizing die requires lubricating cases. A die set that includes a carbide sizing ring eliminates lubing cases and cleaning them off after sizing. Lyman only sells handgun dies that include a carbide sizing die. The tungsten carbide ring around the mouth of a sizing die is hard and polished to reduce friction during sizing, and it is the only portion of the die that touches a case. A carbide sizing die used to cost quite a bit more than a steel sizing die, but prices have dropped significantly in recent years. One die set can also be used to handload several cartridges such as the.38 Special and.357 Magnum cartridges. The same goes for.44 Special and.44 Magnum cartridges and the.40 S&W and 10mm Auto. All that is required is adjustment to properly flare case mouths, seat bullets to a specified depth and apply a proper crimp. When a cartridge is fired it expands to seal the chamber. Sizing fired cases lengthens their necks because the brass flows forward. Cases from nearly every factory rifle I have shot over the years Balance beam scales are relatively inexpensive and weigh powder to within.1 grain. The Hornady Quick Change Hand Tool includes all the bits required to prep sized cases Handloader 318

12 have stretched past their maximum length the first time they were sized. A distance of only.01 inch from trim length to maximum length seems small, but a cartridge with a case over that maximum length will pinch into the front of the chamber, and on firing the mouth cannot expand to release the bullet. The result is excessive chamber pressure, something a handloader should obviously try to avoid. Most new handloaders use a manual lathe-type trimmer when starting out, like the Hornady Cam Lock trimmer. If your hand cramps after turning the handle for a long time, an optional power adapter allows attaching a powered hand drill to some case trimmers. Some trimmers are sold with a universal collet that holds most case heads. A pilot is required for each caliber. A deburring tool removes brass burrs on the case mouth created by the trimmer. Double-ended hand tools make short work of this drudgery with outside and inside deburring tools and small and large primer pocket cleaners. Some of these allow the bits to be stored inside the handle. If your hands tend to cramp up, consider an electric tool like the Lyman Case Prep Xpress or Hornady s Lock-N-Load Case Prep Trio. Weighing Powder Powder charges must always be weighed. A balance beam scale is the traditional instrument to weigh powder, and it weighs powder to within.1 grain. Choose one with a 500-grain capacity, because eventually it will be used to weigh bullets and cases. Expensive electronic scales weigh powder precisely, but more money will be tied up in such a scale than all your other reloading equipment combined. Sharpless is skeptical about how precisely inexpensive electronic scales weigh powder. Electronic scales measure by pressure, not weight, he said. If air pressure changes, so do powder charge weights. A balance beam scale gives you true weights. A powder trickler conveniently dribbles the last few gran- Handloading manuals contain a wealth of knowledge for both new and experienced reloaders. Powder measures such as the Redding PR-50 are convenient accessories for handloading handgun cartridges. ules of powder into the scale pan to bring the charge up to the correct weight. Make sure the trickler s tube is long enough to reach the powder pan if using an electronic scale. A powder funnel with a wide spout to fit a variety of case mouths is essential for pouring powder into cases. Weighing each powder charge for big batches of handgun cartridges is tedious. Sharpless recently loaded 200 9mm Luger cartridges. I d have been there all night weighing powder for each case, he said. Instead, he saved time by adjusting his powder measure to drop a charge of HP-38 powder in the cases. He checked the weight of every tenth throw of powder on a scale to make sure they remained unchanged. With all the cases filled with an exact amount of powder and standing in loading blocks, bullets were seated to complete his handloads. Take a moment to admire the first finished cartridge removed from your press. It represents the learning curve of following instructions and proper use of basic tools. Ensuing cartridges will soon pay for your reloading tool investments and be the start of an enjoyable hobby. February-March